Body of Joe Koumera pulled from River Murray after Renmark search

The body of a fruit picker who went missing at Renmark has been pulled from the River Murray, as friends reveal what happened in the moments before the tragedy.

The body of a migrant worker from the Pacific Islands has been pulled out of the River Murray following an all-day search.

Vanuatu father Joe Koumera, 42, was working in Renmark as a seasonal fruit-picker when he went missing over the weekend, with family and friends expressing concerns about his welfare.

He was last seen near the intersection of Murray Ave and Pyap St just after midnight on Sunday, and emergency crews began a search effort at 1am on Monday morning.

Friends told 7NEWS Mr Koumera had been drinking before getting into a fight and falling into the water.

In a combined effort over the next fifteen hours, personnel from the Metropolitan Fire Service and State Emergency Service scoured the river for any sign of him, with SA Police taking operational lead.

Joe Koumera went missing in Renmark and a body has no been found. Picture: Facebook

Police divers at Remark, South Australia, looking for missing man Joe. Picture: George Yankovich

Initially, two MFS crews and SES boats were dispatched on the water, and a drone was also deployed as part of the search.

Later in the day, a police search vessel was also sent out with a diving crew on board.

Just after 4:30pm, police officers on the ground near the embankment put up police tape as a grey body bag was lifted out of the river.

The Advertiser understands that Mr Koumera’s contract was set to expire in the coming weeks and that he looked forward to returning home to his family.

It is still unclear whether any foul play was involved in Mr Koumera’s death, and mystery surrounds how he found himself near the river.

Renmark local Ayjay Brown arrived at the search site just after 3.30pm to speak to a police officer.

Mr Brown, 23, said that on Sunday afternoon he drove past the location where Mr Koumera was last seen and claimed to have seen a man of Islander appearance lying on the embankment.

Then, ar 6.30pm, he saw a group of about 12 Islander men congregated at the same spot.

“They were all just standing there facing the river and sort of looking down into the water,” Mr Brown said.

“It wasn’t like they were sort of spread around, they were right there standing in one spot, like they were looking for something.”

A large-scale search is under way in Renmark for missing man Joe. Picture: Riverland Commercial Photography

Joe was last seen in the middle of the night near the River Murray. Picture: Riverland Commercial Photography

Two MFS crews and SES boats are on the water. Picture: Riverland Commercial Photography

Emergency workers scour the river. Picture: Riverland Commercial Photography

A representative of Mr Koumera’s employer told The Advertiser that his family overseas was being notified of the tragedy.

He also said that other employees were being offered support.

Anyone with further information is asked to contact the police assistance line on 131 444 and quote reference #263310.